Thursday, July 9, 2009

ED TAYLOR - Pages TB 46-47 Lyon County KY Lunatic Inquest Book

This day J S Hodges Attorney for the Commonwealth filed an information as follows, to-wit: To T P Gray Judge of the Lyon Court: I am reliably informed that Ed Taylor is a person of unsound mind and a lunatic (Lunatic or Idiot) and therefore ask that a Jury be impaneled to pass upon the subject.

J S Hodges County Attorney Lyon Co Court

Ordered by the Court, That E H James Esq an Attorney of this Court be and he is hereby appointed to defend for and on behalf of the person under trial.

To inquire, etc., comes a Jury, to-wit: W L Moneymaker, C Armstrong, F E Cummins, R B Prince, B F Smith, Boswell Talley, Sam West, J Y Mize, J F Ramey, Z P Gresham, F Tanner, T A Stone;Who being duly impaneled and sworn according to law, after hearing the evidence returned the following verdict, viz: We of the jury find from the evidence that Ed Taylor is a person of unsound mind and a lunatic;That the unsoundness of mind has existed since two months: that _he was born in _____ (State or Country) and resides in _____ County and is 30 years of age; that _he was not brought into this State for the purpose of becoming a charge upon the Commonwealth; that _he owns _____ no estate of any kind; that _____ father is _____ and mother is _____ and reside in _____ and has not estate _____ sufficient to support the person under trial; and said Ed Taylor is not capable of laboring either in whole or in part for his support.

(Additional facts as per instructions of presiding judge.)

James F Ramey Foreman

47

Brief History of Case by the Presiding Judge:

Age?30; Color? Black; Sex: Male; Single;Occupation? Inmate at prison; Occupation of Husband? _____ Habits? _____Extent of Education ? limited; Number and date of previous attacks? _____;What relatives, if any, have been insane, peculiar or intemperate? _____;Duration of present attack: Two months; How exhibited and has it changed in character? Stupid MoodsSupposed cause? Cyphalis [sic]; Any delusions or hallucinations, and if so, what? Yes, He think a snake is after him; Subject to fits? No;, if so, how long and from what cause: _____Natural temper and disposition toward relatives: Bad; Any threat, attempt of tendency to injure others? Yes; Violent? Yes; Destructive? Yes; Cleanly? No; Periodic frenzy and lucid intervals and duration of each: about 24 to 48 hours; What restraints have been imposed and what treatment used: lock up in cell;Any injury about the head ever received? No; Any bodily disease from suppression of evacuations, eruptions, sores or injuries? No; What estate have the parents, husband or wife of the person under trial? No;“Together with whatever else may be deemed material toward enabling the superintendent of the asylum to understand the case.”

Wherefore it is adjudged by the Court that said Ed Taylor is a person of unsound mind and a lunatic (Lunatic or dangerous Idiot); it is ordered that _he be committed to the asylum for the insane at Hopkinsville Ky., and that the superintendent of said asylum be immediately notified and directed to send for said lunatic and he is cured he is to be returned to Prison at Eddyville Ky.